Marijuana Legalization Ballot Initiative Planned in Michigan

A statewide marijuana legalization ballot initiative is planned for 2016 that aims to allow residents to cultivate their own plants and allow other uses of the drug.

The Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Initiative Committee says Thursday it plans a petition drive. The committee’s chairman Jeffrey Hank says in a statement “the time is right” to create “a responsible tax and regulation system for adult use age 21 and over, and permits the farming of hemp for Michigan agriculture, food and industry.” Organizers say the effort could create jobs and boost revenue for schools and road repair.

Under the proposal, people could cultivate 12 plants each. Voters in a number of Michigan communities approved less-ambitious decriminalization measures in recent years. Michigan bans marijuana use and possession unless it’s medical marijuana.